Boyfriend Material (Home for the Holidays)
Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
Livie
“Thank you for taking me to the airport.” Livie sighed as she stared out the window at the traffic. The day before Thanksgiving was the worst day to travel. Yet here she was.
“No problem. What are friends and roommates for? Besides, getting an Uber today would’ve been a nightmare,” Patience said.
“Yup, and you made it a non-issue. Now, if only you could come to Ellijay and save me from my parents. How did I let her talk me into coming home for Thanksgiving? I swore after the last time I wouldn’t go back. So, what do I do? I agree, and at the end of the semester. I should have stayed here and studied.” Instead, she’d listen to four days of complaining about her decision to leave home and abandon the family winery.
Patience shook her head and sighed. “How can they say you made poor life choices? You’re studying to be a doctor. Who in their right mind says that? I wish I was coming with you. I’d set them straight. Besides, your sister and brother and their spouses all work at the winery. Why do they need you too?”
Livie groaned. If she could come up with a good enough excuse, she could cancel the trip. Maybe? There wouldn’t be a good enough reason to satisfy her mother, not that she’d be happy Livie was home either. “I don’t know. Tradition. Or something. According to my parent’s life view, I should be married, helping at the winery, and have popped out a kid or two by now. You know, to carry on the family legacy.” She rolled her eyes. “Blah, blah, blah. It’s the same argument every time I go home.”
Patience giggled. “You sound like the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons.”
Livie banged her head against the side window. “At least I nailed that.”
“Cut it out. You’ll give yourself a concussion.”
“Exactly. Then I won’t be able to fly.”
“Damn, Liv, that’s extreme, don’t you think?” Patience asked.
“No. Maybe? You’re right, but they make me crazy.”
“And you said yes. Why? I mean, if you’re going to be that miserable, why go?” Patience asked.
“I don’t know. Mom called when I was finishing my lab notes. I just wanted her to hang up. I agreed before I realized. It’s not all bad, I guess. I love my nieces and nephews. They’re adorable. But the adults? They’ll spend the weekend making me feel like a piece of bull-pucky.”
Patience giggled. “Seriously?”
“Yes, totally. They never even asked me why I wanted to be a doctor. All they care about is getting me to give in to what they want. You know, it’s like a bad movie, where the parents force the kids to follow in their footsteps. Except it’s my real life.”
“Maybe, but you haven’t given in to them. You’re one semester away from reaching your dream. I can’t believe we’ve been roommates for two years and this is the first I’m hearing about it.”
“When I’m here, I do my best to forget them. Out of sight, out of mind. I guess since it’s so close to the end of the semester, I’m extra stressed. The last thing I need is four days of them reminding me what a disappointment I am.”
Patience nodded as she navigated the traffic into the airport. “It’s crazy. I wish you could stay here and have dinner with my family.”
“Me too.” Livie’s head pounded. It was too much stress, and she still had to get there. She hadn’t been able to get her anti-anxiety pills refilled, and she was terrified of flying. Oh yeah, this was the beginnings of a wonderful long weekend.
Patience shook her head. “I’m really sorry you’re going to have to deal with that alone.”
“Oh well, what’s that saying? If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. I just wish they’d try to understand even a little. Sometimes I wonder if the hospital switched babies when I was born. Geo and Betsy never had a problem following in our parent’s footsteps.”
“It’s wrong on so many levels. They should be proud of you, and how hard you’re working to follow your dream. I feel guilty now that I’ve had it so easy. Though my parents would have supported me no matter what I wanted to do with my life. I can’t imagine them hassling me about getting married, either.” Patience sighed.
“I can’t either. Your parents are amazing. I’m sure they remember what it was like in med school. Who has time for dating?”
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“Right? Oh my God. Though, if I had the time, I’d be all over Quinn Gallagher. He makes my insides melt when I see him. One of these days, my panties are going spontaneously combust when he talks to me.”
Livie grinned. “Yeah, like everyone can’t tell you have the hots for him. There are no secrets in the Ready Room. It’s gossip central.”
Patience’s cheeks turned a soft pink. “I know. Don’t act so innocent. You’re just as bad about Theo.”
“Am not.”
“I call BS. You make a million excuses to visit his table whenever he’s there. Did you think we didn’t notice? Not that it matters. Plus, he stares at you all the time too. He’s hot as hell and never brings a date. I bet he’s got the hots for you.”
“No way. Have you looked at him? The man is a god. Why would he want a freckly redhead who works in a bar? He probably thinks I’m just a kid.”
Patience stopped as in line for the main terminal at Norfolk International Airport. It wasn’t a huge airport, but you wouldn’t know it from the number of cars waiting to drop people off.
“I doubt he thinks that. Tell me you wouldn’t go out with him if he asked?”
“I don’t know. Probably He’s freaking gorgeous and checks all my boxes. Tall, dark, and mouthwatering. It won’t happen.” Livie sighed.
They finally made it to the terminal entrance, and Patience put the car in park.
“I should head in. I’m sure security is a nightmare.”
“I really wish you didn’t have to go. Be strong, Liv. You’ve got this.” Patience leaned over to give her a hug. “Oh shit. Isn’t that Theo?” She pointed to the black truck in front of them. A tall, dark-haired man climbed out and reached for his bag. As he turned, they saw his profile.
“Oh my god. It looks like him.”
“Hey. Maybe your luck is changing, and he’ll be on the same flight, ooh and he could have the seat next to you.” Patience grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.
Livie’s heart raced at the thought. Theo sitting next to her? That would make everything better for a little while, at least. The odds weren’t in her favor, though. “No one’s luck is that good, especially not mine. Don’t hold your breath.”
Patience giggled. “It would be cool, though.”
“It would, but it won’t happen. I’ll text if I need bail money. There will be a carving knife within reach.” Livie laughed. She was only half kidding. The summer had been so bad, she swore she wouldn’t go back until after graduation. They’d driven her crazy until she’d packed her stuff and headed back to Norfolk early.
“No problem. Let me know and I’ll be there with a shovel,” Patience said. After another quick hug, Livie grabbed her small roller bag and got out of the car. She couldn’t put it off any longer. After a quick glance at Theo, she headed into the terminal.
Livie made her way through wall-to-wall people to get to the security checkpoint. The extra time she’d allotted for holiday travel evaporated as she ran for her gate, getting there as the attendant announced boarding.
“Whew,” Livie whispered under her breath as she got in line.
After she stowed her bag and buckled into her seat, she took a deep breath. Flying was not her friend, especially the takeoffs and landings, and turbulence. Livie drove home whenever she could to avoid it, and when she had to fly, she took anti-anxiety meds. She hadn’t been able to see the doctor to get them refilled, and she hoped whoever sat next to her wouldn’t freak out when she had a panic attack.
Patience: You make it?
Livie: Yup, it wasn’t too bad.
Patience: Do you have a hottie sitting next to you?
Livie: Empty seat so far.
Patience: Maybe you’ll get lucky.
Livie: LOL I don’t think so. Lucky would be the flight getting canceled.
Patience: I’m sorry. Your family sucks donkey balls.
Livie: It’s ok. I should be used to it. I’m just extra stressed about the boards.
Patience: smiley face. You’ve got this. Text me when you land.
Livie: I will. Love you.
Patience: Love you, too.